Naturally, these sorts of examples are exceptional, but they are reassuring to a horrible snob like me. Sometimes I wonder if I’m spending too much time following sports perpetually populated with idiots and boors, the kind of people I’d hate in real life yet watch avidly week-in, week-out.

IN football it seems that people react negatively to team-mates who show they might have a few more braincells than the norm. Graeme Le Saux has been dogged by accusations about his sexuality despite being married to a drop-dead gorgeous woman, simply because he can string a sentence together and read the Guardian rather than a newspaper which objectifies women.

Le Saux is a really interesting example of how players to deviate from the stereotype can be treated. I’m just pleased he was strong enough that it didn’t ruin his career. I’m sure there are others who haven’t been as lucky, or have had it ‘knocked out’ of them.

Football has done pretty well at trying to address racism and the worst asepcts of hooliganism over the past few years. Homophobia is seemingly as entrenched as ever, though. I doubt it’s any easier for someone to come out today than it was for Justin Fashanu way back when. Didn’t turn out so well for him which is not going to inspire gay footballers to be loud and proud. Am sure there are gay guys who read the Sun, though, don;t want to come across all sort of ‘reverse prejudiced’ and assume that all homosexuals are naturally cultured and erudite 😀